Digging implement



LszABa l DIGGING IMPLEMENT.

APPLICATION FILED -NOV- 22, 1921.

Patented Sept. 5, 1922.

ler.- l

Patented Siept. 5, 1922.

1PA-TENT 'oer-ica.

JOSEPH SZABO, OF rNEW' CASTLE, PENNS'YLVANIA.vr y

vDreamer IMPLEMENT. n j' i 1 l Application ledv November 22, 1921. ySerial No. 516,965.y

ments such as` spades, shovels or the like, f

and it has for a general object to provide an implement of this type having its blade angularly adjustable with respect tov the handle. 1

A further object of the invention' isto `provide means permitting a quick move- 'ment of ,the blade when the latter is to be adjusted through a large arc. yForvfurther comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

Fig. 1 of the drawings is a longitudinal sectional view of a spade having the invention embodied therein, this view being taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary axial section, showing particularly the locking element of the blade adjusting means.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional perspective view of the socket element shown in Fig. 5.

As here embodied my improved digging implement comprises a tubular handle element 10 which has its forward end partially closed as at 11, leaving a diminished rectangular opening from the sides of which a pair of integral cheek-plates 12 project forwardly.

Extending transversely in the handle l10, just within the opening left in the end, is a worm pinion 14 which is provided withy trunnion elements 15 engaged 1n the oppo-f. site sides of the handle. Thisworm pinion 14 meshes with a worm gear sector 16 journaled between the cheek-plates 12, on apin 16 this gear 16 having "a pair of parallel projecting tongues 17, 17 between which the lrear end ofthe blade 18 is inserted, be'

ing secured thereto by rivets 19. The gear 16 is flattened on one side flush with the face of thetongue 17 as shown. A fixed pin 2O extends between the` cheek-)plates 12 and limits the movement of theblade 18 in one direction. The pinion 14 may be rotated by means of a suitable tool fitted on one of the yproj ectin'g` ends of the trunnion elements 15,"thus adjusting the angle of the kblade 18 with respect to the handle 10.

` or use in casev it ,isV desired to make a large .adjustmentofthe bladek 18 means are provided whereby the pinion 14 can be 'moved bodily out of yengagement with the gear 1,6.y To this end the worm pinion 14 is mounted on the free ends of a pair of arms 23which are pivoted on a transverse rod 24 in the handle 10, the trunnions 15 ofthe pinion 14 projecting through arcuate slots 10 in the handle 10, whichslots extend con ycentric lto the rod 24. i The pinion 14 has .alsoy connected thereto the forward ends of a pair of links l25 which extend rearwardly for a short distance part' 30, disengagement being prevented byl a head 33 on the said part engaging an ini ternal shoulder on the button 31.

Fixed on the handle 10 is a socket element 35 having a T-slot 36 leading into one side thereof and communicating with an opening in said socket element in which the button 31 is engaged, this opening having an interior enlarged socket portion 36 into which the enlarged inner end 37 of the button 31 is pressed by spring 32. The two parts of the T-slot 36 correspond in diameter to the shank and enlarged inner end of the button so that by pressing inwardly on the button the same can be passed through the slot 36,

18 can then be swung'to approximately the For doing heavy Work, where it is desired to take the strain off the pinion lll, the blade may be adjusted to the position shown in F 2, with the 'flattened side of the gear 1:6 engagino` the stop pin 20.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new anddesire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is'as follows: Y

l. A digging implement eomprisiiig` a hollow handle, a blade pivoted on one end thereof, a Worm gear iixed to said blade coaXially thereto, a Worm pinion in Said handle engaging' said Worm gear, a pair of swingable arms in said handle having the Worm pinion mounted on their freer ends, a lever 'fulerumed inthe handle and having one end projecting' exteriorly therefrom, link means connecting' the opposite lend of said lever to said gear pinion, and looking means applied to the outer endof said lever.

2. A digging implement comprising a hollow handle presenting a pair of longitudinally extending' Cheek-plates at one end, a Worm gear pivoted to and `between said cheek-plates, a blade fixed to the said gear, a Worm pinion mounted in the handle and engaging` said Worm gear, a pair of swingable arms in said handlehaving said Worm pinion mounted on their free ends, a lever ulcrumed in the handle and having one end projecting through a slot therein, a pair of links connecting` the opposite end of said lever to said gear pinion, and means applied to the outer end of said lever for locking,` the same. l

3. A digging implementV comprising a hollowl handle presenting a pair of longitudinally extending` Cheek-plates at one end, a Worm gear pivoted to andbetiveen said `cheek-plates, a blade xed tothe said gear, a Worm pinion mounted in the handle and engagingsaid Worm gear, a pair of swingable arms Yin said handle having' said Worin pinion mounted 'on their 'free ends, a lever -fulerumed in the handle and having one end projecting through a slot therein, a'pair of links connecting the opposite end oit said lever to said gear pinion, and means applied to the outer end of said lever for lookingthe same, said `means Comprising a sleeve slidable on said lever, and a socket element on said handle in which said sleeve engages, said socket element having a slot formed in one side thereof to permit of said sleeve and lever passing laterally therethrough rafter an initial longitudinal movement of said sleeve yon said lever.

In testimony whereof I have affixed myy signature.

JOSEPH sZABo. 

